The most beautiful natural sites to discover Côte Du Capricorne

Nosy Satrana is a small, almost deserted island, populated by herons. At low tide, it's possible to cross from the mainland to the island, where herdsmen drive their herds of zebus. In many places, the ground is strewn with limestone debris resembling broken eggs, fossilized pieces of eggshells from aepyornis, the ancestor of the ostrich! To the north, a tamarind tree provides welcome shade for a picnic. The northeastern beaches are a pleasant place to stop and take a dip. The lagoon here is of great beauty.

Located 800 meters from the sea, in a forest of baobabs and didieréacées, at the exit of the village of Mangily, the natural reserve of Reniala, founded by a nature lover, includes a botanical path and an ornithological reserve. It covers 60 hectares and includes about 1,000 different xerophilous plant species (adapted to the dry climate). The pretty path winds through the southern flora, where each plant is identified by a plaque: Delonix, Pachypodium, multiple baobabs - one of which is giant and particularly impressive, nicknamed the teapot by visitors, with a circumference of about 13 meters and said to be 1,200 years old -, Givota... Birdwatchers will also be delighted here: there are about sixty endemic species of birds, including the Tolohoranto, Uratelornis chimaera and the Naka, Monias benschi (especially in October), a special "bird" tour is also possible, with prior reservation with an early morning or late evening departure (count 50 000 Ar per person). This private reserve ensures the preservation of more than a thousand baobabs since 2001 (an eden for these trees so threatened in the region!). The reserve also hosts the "Lemur Rescue Center", a conservation center for Mali Catta lemurs. They are in cages, because they have been extracted from animal trafficking networks and are being rehabilitated in the wild. Really, the natural reserve of Reniala deserves to be known!

Located 3 kilometers off Anakao, the long, flat island of Nosy Ve is lined with sandy beaches and is now deserted. Vezo fishermen stop off here for a break or a bivouac. Exploring the island offers many points of interest. Of course, there's the beach, always inviting for lounging and swimming, but there are also a number of pleasant places to visit. One of the main reasons for visiting Nosy Ve is to catch a glimpse of the red-tailed tropicbird. This endemic species also nests on Reunion Island. It digs its nest in the sand, under trees, to lay eggs and hatch. The island is also sacred ground. Numerous fady (taboos) are associated with it, and the densest masses of vegetation on the northeastern slopes are home to the huts of the tromba, the representative of the cult of reincarnation and possession. Last but not least, this is a historic site. The island of Nosy Ve was a maritime base for slave traders, merchants and pirates for several centuries. Among other notable events, at the end of the ^19th century, France delegated its Resident there, as King Lahimiriza refused to sign slave trade regulations with French naval commander Faberty. From these tumultuous times, a few vestiges remain, which you can discover during your visit to the island: the stone basins of the Residence, an impressively large anchor, the tombs of the French... We recommend a visit to Nosy Ve.

Managed by the Belgian association HONKO, the English NGO Reef Doctors and the village communities, this site allows the discovery of a very rich ecosystem: the mangrove (coastal forest made up of several varieties of mangrove trees). 3 itineraries allow you to visit it, on trails or off-road through the channels. You can observe a lot of birds. The protection of the mangrove is of paramount ecological importance for the survival of this very rich ecosystem. It is therefore both an interesting visit and a very good action.

This protected area is located about fifteen kilometers from Tulear. Several guided tours have been traced including the one of "The mountain of the table" which offers a 360° panoramic view on the coast and the hinterland. The other circuits, "The caves" or "The peninsula of Sarodrano", allow you to discover an exceptional avifauna or to discover the activities related to seaweed farming. Superb panorama with the circuit " The Bay of Saint Augustin ".

Although it is separated from the sea by only 10 meters of rocks, the water that flows in the cave is fresh. It comes from seven sacred lakes, at the end of an underground journey of 70 kilometers. Freshwater fish have found refuge there. In principle, it is fady to bathe, but tourists have rights that the Malagasy do not have, and you can take a dip. Don't forget to give at least 1,000 Ar per person to the guard (maybe more with inflation).

A legend is linked to this sacred place. "Once, there was a great fisherman... And every time he came back from the sea, a tromba came to see him at night to tell him : "You agree with me, I will do something..." And each time the fisherman refused. But the tromba came back every night to repeat his request. This went on for a long time. One day, the great fisherman said, "Okay! Then the tromba said to him, "Go to the cave with all the people of the village, celebrate the tromba, bring rum, sing, offer sacrifices, dance...I will do something." The fisherman did everything the tromba had asked. And as the festive music resounded in the night, suddenly, an all-white cow with a black head and a little white calf with a black head appeared at the bottom of the cave. These two magical animals left with the great fisherman who became master of the tromba and won love, fortune, health and happiness

Since then, the villagers come here to make wishes and throw food and coins to the fish..

This 600-hectare reserve is one of the smallest in the country, and can be explored via five circuits, ranging from 1 to 4 hours' walk. It is home to 102 species of birds (including the endangered Madagascar sparrowhawk) and 39 species of mammals. It is now a scientific research center. It can be hot. Further on, you reach the Seven Sacred Lakes, whose waters are said to lead via an underground route to the Sarodrano cave, 70 km away.